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Chris Davies opens up on Alfie May position change with promise to Birmingham City striker
Chris Davies has promised to give Alfie May more opportunities up front and admitted his tactical switch has contributed to the striker’s struggles in front of goal.
May’s Birmingham City career started with a bang in August with four goals in his first four League One matches, but the 31-year-old has only netted once in his last nine league outings. The number nine’s poor goalscoring form has coincided with the arrival of record signing Jay Stansfield who has taken on the mantle as Blues’ centre-forward.
While Stansfield has operated in the number 10 position in some games to accommodate target man Lyndon Dykes, May has been forced to drop deeper when the pair have played together.
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Davies has been quizzed on the May-Stansfield partnership throughout the last two months but opened up in greater detail on May’s position at his press conference before Blues’ trip to Shrewsbury Town this weekend.
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“Alfie has done great since he’s come in and if you look at his numbers overall, they have been positive,” said Davies. “He’s a nine, that’s his position, but I’ve played him as a 10, playing off Jay, because Jay has come in and made a real impact.
“Alfie has had to play that role because he’s good enough to do it, he can link the play, he’s intelligent. He can do that role but it’s not his best position.
“It’s ultimately something he’s adapted to really well but it means he’s not the nine on the last line getting the same goal return, but he’s contributed to some big performances.”
May was the focal point of Blues’ attack in wins over Lincoln and Bolton after the last international break when Stansfield returned from England under-21 duty with an injury. He didn’t score in either victory but May did contribute two assists for Keshi Anderson and Willum Willumsson at Lincoln.
Davies has assured May, who finished as top scorer in League One last term and won the PFA Player of the Year award, that he will play in his preferred position again.
“From Alfie’s point of view, he will get plenty of opportunities to play as a nine in his best position, but if he has to fill in elsewhere he is going to have to do that,” added Davies. “I’ve got no concerns over Alfie. I’m sure with Alfie, when you look at his numbers and outputs in May, they will be right up there.”
